Lemp Brew Pub: Curious Case Of A Hawaiian Brunch In Gurgaon

IndiaTimes

June 11, 2013

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Imagine going out with your friends for a Sunday brunch and landing up in a situation with the cops, just because you weren't delivered what was promised.

Well this is exactly what reportedly happened to a group of young professionals who had gone out for a Sunday Brunch at a restaurant called Lemp Brewpub in Gurgaon. By now it is quite likely that you have received this post on your Facebook and Whatsapp feeds.

This overwhelmingly negative restaurant review posted posted in the form of a blog post, has gone viral on social media and aims to raise the larger question about the actual level of customer service in many of urban India's so-called happening resto bars and pubs. Most of these places promise you gourmet food that they claim is of international standards, variety of mid-level alcohol and a cool youthful ambiance that is perfect for a hangout.

But in this particular case not only did the staff fail to serve what was mentioned on the menu, but they reportedly even got down to misbehaving with the customers.

This accusation is being called baseless by those who are in support of the restaurant's actions. However in the true spirit of journalism we would like to place both sides of the story and let you decide who you want to believe. In a matter of few hours the war between these two blog posts has spiralled into a debate that is much larger than the spread of that infamous Sunday Brunch!

AGAINST LEMP -

The story begins with a round of stale, cold starters that the group sent back only to receive the same food again in a reheated plate. The Sunday Hawaiian Brunch that they were expecting was never meant to be, as the chef had apparently fallen ill, and the management decided to go ahead with a different spread. Even the live bar that was mentioned in the description was absent. What's worse? The beverages which were supposed to comprise unlimited cocktails never landed up on the table, as the waiter apparently decided to step out. The beers however made it on time. After repeated reminders to the manager and frantic attempts to reach the owners when the group decided to finally walk out, they were presented with an outrageous bill. The manager asked them pay for the full buffet and the items that were yet to come from the kitchen. When the customers resisted, the manager called in his bouncers to corner them.

Genuinely scared about the situation they were in, the customers decided to call the Police. But before the cops arrived, a senior-manager intervened and told them to pay just for the beers they had had...Beers that apparently cost Rs 1100/glass. The helpless group decided to pay up the amount and end the matter; only to be later allegedly bullied by the owner who had managed to befriend the cops. The owner not only asserted his clout, but even justified the demand to pay an amount (Rs 12000) that was nowhere close to the price mentioned in the ad. The cost of the buffet oscillated from Rs 999 to Rs 1199 to Rs 1299. When he realised his mathematical goof-up, he apparently adjusted the initially agreed sum of Rs 6700 to Rs 4463. When the customers asked for the bill, they were made to wait even longer and not allowed to use their phones. On being told by his staff that the customers had called him a cheat, the owner changed his mind once again and demanded the full amount of Rs 12000. The matter later moved to the Police station where the cops reportedly played devil's advocate and accused the customers of creating a scene. Already hassled and helpless, the customers decided to pay the reduced amount (Rs 4463) to the manager and the cops did not even file a report either.

FOR LEMP -

The anti-Lemp blog post also talks about the restaurant staff passing lewd remarks at the girls and being threatened by the cops with an alcohol test. The incident which is being called the Horrid Brunch episode has sparked-off extreme reactions in the virtual world.

Meanwhile as a counter-view there is a group of Lemp Brew supporters who have accused these customers of being high-handed and unfair in their representation of the restaurant. In fact the post alleges that this group came to the place with an intention to make some mischief, and use the age-old trick of complaining about quality of food and service.

And since the Lemp management did not fall into their trap, they took their frustration online.

The post accuses them of trying to flee the place without paying, and even makes the mention of CCTV footage. Lemp's supporters have completely rubbished claims that the place is unsafe for women and praises it for its classy ambiance.

While the jury is still out on the accuracy of both versions, we would like to know what you think about the whole episode and whether you have faced similar experiences at this or any other restaurant.